Astana-finance is planning the establishment of several funds direct investment volume of $1 billion

/INTERFAX-KAZAKHSTAN, Borovoe, August 30, 08/ - Kazakhstan Astana- finance JSC is planning the establishment of several funds direct investment volume of $1 bn., Alexander Savchuk, the Chairman of the company's Board reported. Establishing funds will be specialized at agriculture, forestry and mining projects, A. Savchuk informed during the third Central-Asian festival Business Weekend-2008 on Saturday in Borovoe (Akmola obl.). "We want to create our new strategic business line. For the beginning, direct investment fund, which will be specialized at investments in agriculture will be created this year already" he noted. According to him, "Kazakhstan and Russia are the strategic markets for funds` assets investment". Earlier, the head of Astana-finance informed that establishing funds will be focus at "nearly all global markets of investors, including USA, Canada, London as the separate market Europe, Middle East and Asian markets". Astana-finance provides long-term project financing, leasing and mortgage services, mainly in Astana and Akmola oblast. Besides, the company provides different investment and banking services and develops business outside its region of activity. 25.5% shares of Astana-finance, which were owned by Astana akimat, now are under management of state fund Kazyna. [2008-09-02]